Air Fryer Baked Potato: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking baked potatoes in an air fryer is a quicker and more energy-efficient method than using an oven. The cooking time depends on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer. For example, a large potato typically takes around 45 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, while smaller potatoes may only need about 40 minutes. It's important to preheat the air fryer, scrub and dry the potatoes, and pierce them with a fork before cooking.

How long to cook a baked potato in an air fryer

Cooking a baked potato in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, crispy-skinned potatoes with fluffy insides. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer, but most large potatoes will take around 40–50 minutes at 400°F.

Preparation

First, scrub the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with kitchen paper. Prick the potatoes with a fork or knife—this allows steam to escape and helps prevent the potatoes from splitting. Then, drizzle or brush the potatoes with olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice, and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or parsley.

Cooking

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each potato. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 30 minutes. Then, flip the potatoes and cook for another 20–25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a knife or fork.

Serving

Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. Then, slice open the tops, fluff the insides with a fork, and add your desired toppings. Some popular toppings include butter, sour cream, Greek yogurt, chives, and cheese.

How to get crispy skin

To get crispy skin on your air fryer baked potatoes, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, make sure you scrub and dry your potatoes. This will help the skin crisp up during cooking, rather than steaming. Next, pierce the potatoes with a fork or knife. This allows steam to escape during the cooking process and helps prevent the potatoes from splitting. Then, it's time to add some fat and seasoning. Drizzle or spray the potatoes with olive oil, avocado oil, or another oil of your choice. Use your hands to rub the oil into the skin, ensuring an even coating. Sprinkle the potatoes generously with sea salt, as this will enhance the crispness of the skin. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, black pepper, or dried parsley.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. Don't overcrowd the basket, as this will affect the crispness of the skin. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 30 minutes. Flip the potatoes and continue cooking for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are tender and crispy. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your potatoes and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Once they're done, remove the potatoes from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Slice open the tops, fluff the insides with a fork, and serve with your favourite toppings. Enjoy the crispy, tasty skin and fluffy insides of your air fryer baked potatoes!

Should you wrap the potato in foil?

Whether or not you should wrap your potatoes in foil before air frying depends on the texture you want for the potato skins. Wrapping the potatoes in foil will result in softer potato skins, whereas air frying unwrapped potatoes will give you crispier skins.

If you want to add a thin layer of foil to help with cleanup, you can do so, but make sure the foil doesn't exceed the top of the air fryer basket.

If you want crispy potato skins, it is recommended to season the skins with olive oil and salt instead of wrapping them in foil.

How to prepare the potato

Preparing a potato for an air fryer is simple. First, scrub the potato clean and dry it thoroughly with kitchen paper or a tea towel. Prick the potato a few times with a fork or a knife. This will allow the steam to escape while the potato is cooking and prevent it from bursting.

Next, rub or brush the potato with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil with a high smoke point. Make sure the oil gets into the skin of the potato. Then, season the potato with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder or dried parsley.

Place the potato into the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around it. If you are cooking more than one potato, make sure they are not stacked on top of each other. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to preheat it to 400°F (200°C).

Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer. For a large potato, it will typically take around 40-50 minutes at 400°F. Smaller potatoes may take around 30-40 minutes. To check if the potato is done, insert a knife or a fork into the centre; if it goes in easily, the potato is ready.

What temperature to cook at

The optimal temperature to cook baked potatoes in an air fryer is 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. This temperature setting ensures that the potatoes are cooked thoroughly and evenly, resulting in crispy skin and fluffy insides.

While the specific air fryer model and potato size may influence the cooking duration, the recommended temperature setting remains consistent across various recipes. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes and the type of air fryer being used. For example, larger potatoes may require additional time, while smaller potatoes may cook faster.

To achieve the desired level of crispiness and fluffiness, it is advisable to preheat the air fryer to the designated temperature before placing the potatoes inside. This ensures that the cooking process commences at the intended temperature, promoting even cooking and the desired texture.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that some air fryers may have slight variations in temperature settings. For instance, one user mentioned that their air fryer lid model had a maximum temperature of 380 degrees Fahrenheit. In such cases, adjustments in cooking time may be necessary to compensate for the difference in temperature settings.

To summarize, the standard temperature setting for cooking baked potatoes in an air fryer is 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. This temperature is maintained throughout the cooking process to ensure the desired outcome of crispy skin and fluffy insides. Adjustments in cooking time may be made based on potato size and air fryer model, but the temperature setting remains the cornerstone of achieving the perfect air-fried baked potato.

Frequently asked questions